Infant bath accessory for integrated suitcase attachment

ABSTRACT

An infant bath accessory employs a shell configured to be closely received over an outer surface of a suitcase. The shell incorporates a drain and has first connector moieties attached thereto. Second connector moieties are attached to the suitcase to be releasably engaged by the first connector moieties thereby securing the shell to the suitcase.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION Field

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to infant bathing accessories and more particularly to a molded shell sized to be received over the outer surface of an existing suitcase, secured with buckles or straps around the suitcase or integrated in the suitcase sides, and, when removed from the suitcase, configured for use as an infant bath tub including a sealable drain.

Background

An infant's size makes bathing the child in a full size adult bathtub difficult and potentially even dangerous. Infants are often bathed in kitchen sinks due to the convenient size. Various prior art bathing devices have been developed including that disclosed in US patent publication 2006/0179568 for a Multi-purpose Infant Care Device. However, having a convenient way to bath an infant while traveling, when the devices available at home might not be easily portable, poses a continuing problem for parents or care givers. Prior art devices such as those disclosed in US patent publication 2007/0136942 for a Portable Bathing Apparatus and US patent publication 2014/0311843 for a Multifunctional Case provide portable bathing tubs. However, these devices are cumbersome to transport and constitute additional baggage.

It is therefore desirable to provide alternative solutions for infant bathing with convenience during travel.

SUMMARY

As disclosed herein provide an infant bath accessory having a shell configured to be closely received over an outer surface of a suitcase. The shell incorporates a drain and has first connector moieties attached thereto. Second connector moieties are attached to the suitcase to be releasably engaged by the first connector moieties thereby securing the shell to the suitcase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features, functions, and advantages desired can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

FIG. 1 is pictorial representation of a an exemplary embodiment of an infant bath accessory according to the present invention engaged with a suitcase;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the bath accessory disengaged from the suitcase;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of bath accessory;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the bath accessory engaged to the suitcase;

FIG. 4B is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the bath accessory employing a contoured inclined pad for support of the infant as engaged to the suitcase;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the second embodiment of the bath accessory showing the inclined pad for support of the infant;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a third embodiment with the shell sections to show a storage volume provided by spacing the bath accessory from the suitcase profile; and,

FIGS. 7A and 7B are pictorial views of alternative connector moieties for engagement of the shell to the suitcase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments described herein provide an infant bath accessory convenient for travel which incorporates a molded shell sized to be closely received over an existing suitcase outer profile and secured with buckles or straps around the suitcase or integrated in the suitcase sides. The molded shell includes a sealable drain.

As seen in the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a shell 10 is received over a portion of the outer surface of a suitcase 14 (which typically would have wheels 16 and an extendible handle 18 as in most standard modern luggage). The suitcase 14 may be hard sided or soft sided. The shell as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 has a drain 20 which may be sealed with a rotating element or may be open with a standard plug seal.

As seen in FIG. 4A, the shell 10 may be sized to he closely received over an upper profile 12 of the suitcase (relative to the position of the suitcase as shown in FIG. 4A) with close engagement of the inner surface 11 of the shell 10 and the upper profile 12 or may he enlarged in the vertical dimension 13, as seen in FIG. 4B, providing an interior volume 24 specifically sized to accommodate a reclined pad 26 to support the infant in the unattached configuration. As seen in FIG. 5, the pad 26 is contoured to provide a back support 28, seat 30 and leg support 32 to cradle the infant in a semi reclining position. When engaged to the suitcase 14, the pad 26 will contact the upper profile 12. The pad may be molded into the shell 10 or may be a removable element.

Alternatively, the volume 24 may be created by spacing the inner surface 11 from the upper profile 12 with contact flats 34 spaced from the inner surface which engage a periphery 35 of the upper profile 12 as seen in the sectioned view of FIG. 6. The volume 24 may then be used for housing towels or other bath accessories such as soap, shampoo, sponges or outlet spray attachments instead of carrying those within the suitcase itself Carrying such items in the volume of the shell separate from the contents inside the suitcase precludes the necessity of those items being completely dry before packing.

In the configurations of all embodiments, the shell 10 is coupled to the suitcase 14 using buckles 36 and/or straps 38. A ladder lock buckle receiving the strap 38 is shown in FIGS. 1-6. Alternatively, short strap elements with a first strap element 38 a secured at one end to the shell terminating in a first engagement moiety and a second strap element 38 b secured at an opposing end to the suitcase and terminating in a second engagement moiety adapted to be secured to the first engagement moiety as seen in FIGS. 7A and 7B. A side-squeeze strap buckle 36 a and blade with side squeeze tabs 36 b may be employed for the first and second engagement moieties as seen in FIG. 7A or a hook and loop fastener system employed with hook elements 36 c on strap 38 a and loop elements 36 d on strap 38 b. Strap elements 38 b may extend around the suitcase 14 without being affixed thereto thereby avoiding any required modification to a standard suitcase. As a second alternative, the buckles may be directly attached to the exterior of the shell 10 and suitcase 14 for matched engagement.

Having now described various embodiments of the disclosure in detail as required by the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will recognize modifications and substitutions to the specific embodiments disclosed herein. Such modifications are within the scope and intent of the present disclosure as defined in the following 

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant bath accessory comprising: a shell configured to be closely received over an outer surface of a suitcase, said shell incorporating a drain and having first connector moieties attached thereto; and, second connector moieties attached to the suitcase to be releasably engaged by the first connector moieties thereby securing the shell to the suitcase.
 2. The infant bath accessory as defined in claim 1 wherein the shell has an inner volume and further comprising a reclined pad attached within the inner volume
 3. The infant bath accessory as defined in claim 1 wherein an inner surface of the shell is spaced from an upper profile of the suitcase with flats on the shell engaging the upper profile thereby creating a volume adapted for storage.
 4. The infant bath accessory as defined in claim 1 wherein the first connector moieties comprise ladder lock buckles and the second moieties comprise straps.
 5. The infant bath accessory as defined in claim 1 wherein the first connector moieties comprise first strap elements connected to side-squeeze strap buckles and the second moieties comprise second strap elements connected to side squeeze tabs.
 6. The infant bath accessory as defined in claim 1 wherein the first connector moieties comprise first strap elements having a first element of a hook and loop fastener and the second moieties comprise second strap elements having a second element of a hook and loop fastener.
 7. A suitcase for travel with an infant comprising: an outer surface with wheels and an extendible handle attached thereto; a shell configured to be closely received over the outer surface, said shell incorporating a drain and having first connector moieties attached thereto; and, second connector moieties attached to the outer surface to be releasably engaged by the first connector moieties thereby securing the shell to the suitcase.
 8. The suitcase as defined in claim 7 wherein the shell has an inner volume and further comprising a reclined pad attached within the inner volume.
 9. The suitcase as defined in claim 7 wherein an inner surface of the shell is spaced from an upper profile of the suitcase with flats on the shell engaging the upper profile thereby creating a volume adapted for storage.
 10. The suitcase as defined in claim 7 wherein the first connector moieties comprise ladder lock buckles and the second moieties comprise straps,
 11. The suitcase as defined in claim 7 wherein the first connector moieties comprise first strap elements connected to side-squeeze strap buckles and the second moieties comprise second strap elements connected to side squeeze tabs.
 12. The suitcase as defined in claim 7 wherein the first connector moieties comprise first strap elements having a first element of a hook and loop fastener and the second moieties comprise second strap elements having a second element of a hook and loop fastener. 